Fii approached Virgil's quarters in the Vigil. She hesitated outside the door, unsure how to proceed. It'd been a couple of days since everything blew up with Kenzo and Kasumi. She knew she should have spoken to Virgil sooner about what happened...but she still didn't know how to broach the subject. She stood awkwardly outside his quarters and knocked on his door.

"Um...hey Virgil?" She called through the door.

"Go away." The words echoed through the thin wooden door. The flat monotone voice didn't convey a hint of emotion.

"No." She shot back without missing a beat. If he was going to be rude...she would be blunt. No more tiptoeing around the issue.

There was a thud and footsteps as Virgil opened his door a crack.

"What do you want, girl?" He snapped angrily.

"To talk. Can I come in?" Fii met his anger head on. She wasn't here to fight.

He paused before he sighed in frustration.

"Fine." The door shut and then clicked as he unlocked and swung the door open.

Inside, the room was sparse. Virgil's revolver sat disassembled on a cloth on his desk. Cleaning supplies and bullet casings littered the workspace. Other than his pistol, the only other object was his bed, neatly made. Fii wondered when he last slept.

"Sit." Virgil jerked his head towards the chair tucked under the desk.

Fii obliged, seating herself carefully. He closed the door behind him and sat on his bed facing her. His elbows rested on his knees as he leaned forwards, waiting for her to speak. Silence hung between them.

"Look, Virgil," Fii started. "Kenzo and Kasumi...I don't trust her. But Kenzo does. And he's my friend, so I trust him. I don't know anything about her or their past relationship...or whatever the hell they're doing now...but I'll trust him until he proves me wrong."

Virgil laughed mirthlessly. "You trust too easily."

She bit her lip before answering softly, "Maybe I do...but isn't that what heroes are supposed to do?"

His eyes narrowed and he spat out sarcastically, "Heroes? You mean naive kids who think they can save everyone with enough goodwill and self-sacrifice?"

"Is there something wrong with that?" Her voice rose slightly. She wanted to defend herself...but also keep things from escalating again. If she yelled...this would just turn into another argument—and she didn't want that, so she kept her tone low but firm. "Isn't that what we do anyway? Fight for people who need help?"

He scoffed at her comment. "That's different. We do what needs to be done because nobody else will. What Kenzo did...it wasn't heroic." Virgil stood and began pacing across the length of the small room. He ran a hand through his hair tiredly as he paced. "The only reason I let it slide is because he's a valuable ally. Othwerise, I would have shot the bitch between the eyes the moment I entered the room. She deserves no mercy."

Fii frowned deeply but remained silent. There was nothing she could say that would change Virgil's opinion. She knew that much already. And honestly...she didn't disagree with him. She didn't like Kasumi one bit—and yet here she was...still defending her because of Kenzo.

Why was she doing this? Because she idolized Kenzo that much? Because she had looked up to him for so long and she respected him so much that she wouldn't dare question his motives...even if they seemed questionable to her...because they couldn't possibly be...right? Right? Or maybe...just maybe...she just really wanted to believe him.

"If you're so set on believing Kenzo is right and I'm wrong...then you're an idiot." He spoke with no trace of malice, only resignation. "I can't stop you...but if she does betray him or tries anything funny again...and you do nothing...that blood will be on your hands."

Virgil took a swig from his flask and his eyes closed tightly as he swallowed hard. "Not to mention you did something more idiotic like getting your identity blown in the clinic by a person who has already tried to kill you before. Do you understand how monumentally stupid that was?"

Fii opened her mouth to protest but closed it when Virgil's stern gaze bore holes into her. He didn't want to hear anything she had to say right now. The message was loud and clear. She sat quietly on the chair, listening attentively while fiddling idly with the edge of her tank top.

He took another gulp of whiskey and slammed the metal container back down on his desk. "Look, kid. You can't keep doing this. First, it was with Quinn, and now you're doing this again. At least with him, he wasn't dangerous. But when a criminal knows your face, you'll never have any peace. That girl is going to rat you out the minute she gets a chance. Or worse—hunt down everyone you care about and hurt them so they can get to you."

Fii shivered at the thought. He didn't have to say that last bit. She understood perfectly well what he meant.

But in the slums, that kind of threat always hung over everyone's heads. Whether someone was part of a gang or not, they would have to deal with those types of dangers sooner or later. Gangs that lost territories and power always clung to their grudges. It wasn't uncommon for gangsters to target friends or families of those who crossed them to get revenge or settle old scores.

Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.

It didn't just apply to gangs—anyone who wanted to hurt someone else could find ways to get the job done. That was life in the slums. No laws meant no punishment for anyone who could get away with it. So to survive, you had to be crafty, strong, or lucky. It's just how things were.

Still, there are unwritten codes of conduct that were respected...most of the time. Retaliating against innocents is frowned upon and taboo among those who actually cared. And it wasn't just because of moral reasons either—it would also make them lose their credibility and risk isolating them even further.

No one wants that—not even gangsters. The balance was always kept precariously in check. Some were better than others but the codes were the same.

Virgil stepped close and knelt beside her chair so they could be face-to-face. She flinched slightly when he laid a heavy hand on her shoulder and squeezed tightly. His intense hazel eyes bore into hers as he spoke clearly, "So now that you got your dumb ass exposed—there's nothing stopping her from paying you back the favor."

"I'm sorry I messed up," she admitted dejectedly. "It wasn't smart...I panicked a little."

He grunted, "Yes. It was idiotic." His tone softened though and the tension in the air dissipated some. He let go and stepped back, giving her space again. "I've taught you better. You should be able to think clearly enough under pressure. Next time, don't make rash decisions. Let that thick skull of yours do its job instead."

He gave her head a hard flick. It stung, but she didn't complain. This was the most civil he'd been with her lately. Besides, she deserved it.

She nodded slowly. "Yes sir."

"Good," Virgil sighed before collapsing back into the bed. His posture sagged heavily and his eyes drooped close. "At least we agree on that."

"Uh...can I ask something else though?" Fii ventured cautiously.

Virgil opened an eye and groaned in exasperation. "What now?"

"I wanted to talk about those Adrenomancers. I know I'll probably end up fighting them again sometime soon so...can you tell me more about them?"

The other eye popped open and he sat straight up.

"Didn't I already explain the basics to you before? How much more do you want to know?"

Fii shrugged sheepishly. "A lot more I guess. Like...how come some of them are different? One of the ones I fought was super fast. Another one was stronger and tougher than the rest, and I'm sure there are other types too."

Virgil exhaled noisily through his nostrils. "Those are the variants. As far as I know, Salvatore's drug cocktail could sometimes result in a mixture that produces something more along the lines of a Super. Different bodily systems get modified so the strength or speed comes easier than for other candidates. The ones with enhanced speed are called Hyperions, and the ones with higher strength and endurance are known as Titans."

"So basically...they're better versions of the regular Adrenomancers?"

"Pretty much." He paused briefly to take a swig of whiskey before continuing in a tired voice, "But that's all they are. They still don't compare to Metahumans who have the strength to throw cars around or move faster sound. At best, they might be able to hold their own against someone who's not as experienced—like you."

"I fought one that used electrified whips," Fii added. "And another one used holograms."

He grunted in acknowledgment. "Yeah, there are plenty of different weapons too. Most use firearms for quick kills. But others like to get up close and personal. Regardless of how they fight, you should be able to deal with them easily if you put your mind to it and NOT hold back." He shot her a pointed look to emphasize his point.

"Yes sir," she responded immediately. "No more holding back."

"Good...now run along...I need a nap," he mumbled drowsily while lying back on the mattress again.

She watched him close his eyes and drift off quickly into slumber. His flask hung limply in one hand.

Time to go. She slipped out quietly and left him alone to sleep.

Once outside the Vigil, Fii exhaled loudly before making her way back to the Aether Clinic. Things weren't going to return to normal anytime soon. And there was no telling when she'd find herself tangled up in another mess again.

----------------------------------------

Edith tapped a vial into her analyzer and set the machine humming. A stream of data began popping onto her monitor screen. After checking several values, she frowned slightly but didn't seem surprised.

Helix's voice sounded from her computer speakers.

[Based on the chemical composition of the Adrenomancer drug, it appears to contain a complex mixture of various synthetic stimulants and neurotransmitters. These include amphetamines, ephedrine, and norepinephrine—which account for the increase in alertness and energy. There are also trace amounts of dopamine and serotonin present—which likely enhance the user's sense of pleasure and reward while under the influence.]

The information flashed across the screen faster than Edith could absorb it all. But Helix was still reciting its analysis, so she had time to catch up before asking any questions.

[In addition, there are also traces of exotic elements found in rare minerals that I believe were introduced during the refining process. However, I am unable to ascertain what these substances are currently due to insufficient data.] The AI concluded before waiting patiently for her response.

Edith hummed thoughtfully as she pondered over this new discovery. While not unexpected given what she'd already gathered earlier from analyzing Shiver, it did confirm a few things she suspected about the two drug's similarities.

"I think I have a guess what those exotic elements are...or at least what their purpose may be," she mused aloud while squinting closely at the screen. "Heavy isotopes that serve as catalysts and binding agents that instill rapid biological changes within the host."

Helix chimed in affirmatively,

"That'll be your job then," she stated matter-of-factly as she began typing rapidly on her keyboard. "I want you to run more tests on these compounds and compile a comprehensive report for me with all possible results from different variations." She paused briefly before continuing, "While you're at it...run another check on Fii's DNA sample too. Let me know if anything unusual pops out from your analysis."

[Understood.]

With that settled, Edith sat back in her chair and began rereading everything once again from start to finish. She couldn't afford to miss anything important. This data had to be absolutely accurate. So far things seemed promising...but there remained a lingering doubt gnawing away at her gut.

This could all be for naught. Salvatore's Adrenomancer formula might very well not be the key to increasing the efficacy of her serum. There were too many variables involved and no way to tell whether or not one variable was causing the other effects. That meant they needed more information—more data.

And unfortunately...that wasn't something she could generate easily on her own anymore.